Fantasy Football: Analyzing the N.F.L. Draft Picks, Part 2

Mike Evans is expected to make an impact for the Buccaneers from Week 1 on.

David J. Phillip / Associated Press

By MATT SCHWIMMER and MATT COTT

May 16, 2014

Continuing our look at the rookie on each team who will have the most fantasy impact this season, whether for him or for the players around him, we turn our attention to the N.F.C. South and West.

N.F.C. South

New Orleans Saints: Brandin Cooks, Oregon St. WR -- The Oregon State wideout, who ran the 40 in 4.33 seconds, will fit perfectly into Sean Payton’s offense. It speaks volumes about Cooks that the Saints traded up because the Eagles, another explosive offense, wanted him as well. While Kenny Stills’s stock takes a hit, the Saints will get Cooks involved right away. He’ll have a shot at 80 touches in his debut season.

Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Benjamin, Florida St. WR – Benjamin was the clear choice here with Steve Smith gone and plenty of targets up for grabs in Carolina. The first-round pick should serve as the Panthers “X” receiver from the start. While the opportunity is there, we’re not sold on the talent. Yes, Benjamin is a great jump-ball target in the end zone with his 6-5 frame, but his ability to separate in the middle of the field is unproven. Benjamin will likely begin the year as a WR4.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, Texas A&M, WR -- The Bucs are going to try to replicate the success that the Bears had last year with tall wideouts, and Evans and Vincent Jackson should make a dangerous duo. Evans is expected to step in and be a key factor from Week 1 on. He won’t see double-teams nearly as often as many of the others wideouts that went in the first round, like Sammy Watkins. The Buccaneers also added Austin Seferian-Jenkins, another big receiver that should see red zone targets, and Charles Sims, who will spell Doug Martin at times. Sims is better than Martin in the passing game and succeeds most in zone-blocking schemes.

Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, Texas A&M OT – Receiver Harry Douglas could be the happiest Atlanta Falcon after the selection of Matthews. Coming off his first 1,000-yard season, Douglas figures to be a big factor once again in Atlanta’s offense. Many expected the Falcons to draft a tight end to replace Tony Gonzalez, but they did not, leaving the raw Levine Toilolo as the team’s primary tight end. Steven Jackson should also benefit from the pick, as the Falcons’ offensive line really struggled toward the end of last season.

Receiver Harry Douglas could be the happiest Atlanta Falcon after the selection of offensive lineman Jake Matthews.

Scott Cunningham / Getty Images

N.F.C. West

St. Louis Rams: Greg Robinson, Auburn OT -- Tre Mason, drafted in the third round by St. Louis, will certainly get some carries, but we view him as someone who will score an occasional touchdown in a backfield that has quietly become very crowded. His college teammate, Robinson, should be the biggest help to Zac Stacy, who will likely get drafted as a back-end RB1. The biggest beneficiaries among the team’s veterans are Tavon Austin, Chris Givens and Jared Cook Jr., who will have an improved offensive line and no rookie receiving options on their tails.

San Francisco 49ers: Carlos Hyde, Ohio St. RB -- Even though he lasted until pick No. 57, many rated Hyde as the top running back in the draft and he holds huge fantasy upside. Frank Gore is now 31 and his best days are well behind him. Hyde could jump Marcus Lattimore, who is recovering slowly and missed all of last year, Kendall Hunter, a pass-catching back, and LaMichael James to be Gore’s backup, and once he has the job he could immediately become a Top 15 fantasy back.

Arizona Cardinals: Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech QB -- Most teams had a betterfantasy draft than the Cardinals. Troy Nikias figures to be a blocking tight end and John Brown may serve as their returner. The interesting name here is Thomas. Accuracy is currently the issue for Thomas, but he has a big arm and would have fantasy upside if he ever got the starting job. It likely won’t happen in 2014, but an aging Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton are not the best long-term options for Arizona.

Seattle Seahawks: Paul Richardson, Colorado, WR -- The Seahawks are a well-oiled machine, so do not expect many contributions from their draft class this year. Richardson was their first pick after they traded down twice in the draft. Richardson is a good deep threat who excels after the catch and has some potential to have an impact this season. The other rookie wideout, Kevin Norwood, is more polished and has experienced working in the slot and on the outside so he could also contribute.